UNESCO Creative Cities Network Monitoring Report Submitted January 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Executive Summary ....................................... …………..3 2. General Information .............................................. ….4 3. Contribution to the Network's Global Mgmt…..........5 4. Initiatives Implemented at the Local Level…….…..…..6 4.1 Words on the Street campaign. ............................ 6 4.2 Literary Salon programme .................................... 8 4.3 Emerging Writers programme .............................. 8 4.4 Literary Tourism initiative ..................................... 9 5. Initiatives Implemented Through Inter-City Co-op..11 5.1 International Poetry Projections ......................... 11 5.2 Krakow City of Literature Collaborations…………..11 5.3 Sub-Network Collaborations ............................... 12 6. Proposed Plan for Forthcoming Period of 4 Yrs. ..... 13 6.1 Initiatives within Edinburgh ................................ 13 6.2. Initiatives with international partners ............... 15 6.3 Budget Overview……………………………….……………..15 6.4 Communication Strategy………………..…………………17 7. Appendices ............................................................... 18 7.1 Appendix 1: Our Programme………………..….……….18 7.2 Appendix 2: Our Literary City .............................. 20 7.3 Appendix 3: Our Creative Industries ................... 24 jkkgfh UCCN Monitoring Report – Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature – cityofliterature.com 2 In October 2004 Edinburgh was designated the ability to mobilise a wide range of partners world’s first UNESCO City of Literature and the underpins our success. We are independent, founding city in an international network of creative and open-minded by nature, and our work Creative Cities spanning the globe. is characterised by strong partnerships and strategic collaborations. We opt for local resources and local Edinburgh is an outstanding literary city. We are creative talent to deliver our work, striving for the the home of world-famous writers, song lyricists, highest possible quality in all that we do and screenwriters, playwrights, poets, novelists, stepping forward to break new ground where storytellers, academics, illustrators, book artists and needed. Our work is recognised for its innovative graphic fiction writers. Edinburgh is the base of our and creative approach and the UNESCO Cities of national literature organisations and home to the Literature designation is recognised as a mark of world’s largest public celebration of the written excellence. We embrace literature in its widest and word, the Edinburgh International Book Festival. An most glorious definition and seek to widen access Edinburgh press produced the first book printed in so everyone can enjoy its creative expression. Scotland in 1508. The world’s tallest monument to an author, Sir Walter Scott, towers over the world’s Our programme has been creative, prodigious and only train station named after his novel, Waverley. far reaching. From high profile citywide reading We are a city that lives and breathes books, words campaigns to one-day spectaculars honouring our and ideas. famous authors; international exchanges to local residencies; one-off conferences to monthly The City of Literature title was conceived in Literary Salons; press tours to promotions to Edinburgh as a permanent and non-competitive support emerging writers; behind the scenes title recognising outstanding excellence and we strategic coordination to inscription of quotations were honoured when UNESCO incorporated the on prominent public city locations; digital hubs to title into its then emerging Creative Cities Network leadership of an international network of Cities of programme. Following our designation, the City of Literature. Literature office was established in 2005 and is run by the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust. We are connecting people to place so everyone We are an independent charity with three staff and everywhere can be part of our literary story: supported by volunteers, artists, stakeholders and opening up a world of possibilities, of learning, partners. wonder and joy for all. Our work is framed within the context of the Creative Cities Network’s mission statement, and focuses on the potential of ‘Edinburgh remains a city of the mind, a creativity for sustainable urban development. Our writer’s city’ – Ian Rankin sister Cities of Literature remain a source of inspiration, friendship and energy, and the network cities a source of learning and exchange. We have a unique overview of our city, and our This report focuses on the period between 2012 breadth of knowledge, international network and and 2016. UCCN Monitoring Report – Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature – cityofliterature.com 3 GENERAL INFORMATION 2.1. Name of the city: Edinburgh 2.2. Country: Scotland 2.3. Creative field of designation: Literature 2.4. Date of designation: October 2004 2.5. Date of submission of the current report: January 2017 2.6. Entity responsible for the report: Ali Bowden, Director, City of Literature Trust 2.7. Previous reports submitted and dates: n/a 2.8 Focal points of contact, including: Designation Focal Point: Ali Bowden, Director Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust John Knox House Top Floor Office 45 High Street Edinburgh Scotland, EH1 1SR www.cityofliterature.com @EdinCityofLit City of Edinburgh Council Liaison: Lisa Kapur, Arts Officer Cultural Services, City Strategy & Economy City of Edinburgh Council Waverley Court, Level 2.6 4 East Market Street Edinburgh, EH8 8BG www.edinburgh.gov.uk UCCN Monitoring Report – Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature – cityofliterature.com 4 CONTRIBUTION TO THE NETWORK’S GLOBAL MANAGEMENT 3.1 Number of UCCN annual meetings attended in ‘Challenges for Cooperation among the Cities of the last four years (please note that a regular Literature’. participation in these meetings is compulsory): Four 3.5 Financial and/or in-kind support provided to 3.2 Hosting of a UCCN annual meeting and dates: UNESCO’s Secretariat in order to ensure the N/a management, communication and visibility of the 3.3 Hosting of a working or coordination meeting UCCN (type of contribution, estimated value, main addressed to one or more specific UCCN creative objectives, and dates): In July 2012 Edinburgh was field representatives: Between 2012 and 2016 we appointed chair of a newly formed Creative Cities have assisted sixteen cities with their bids to become Network Working Group. Working closely with a UNESCO City of Literature. We have hosted three UNESCO we led a programme of work to develop and sub-group meetings (Seoul in 2012; Montreal in 2013; improve the structure and processes supporting the Bologna in 2014) and the first meeting of the six UK Creative Cities Network, on behalf of all cities already UNESCO Creative Cities (2015). designated but also to support those cities wishing to join our network. Since designation in 2004, Edinburgh has actively contributed to the development of the network. In We provide significant in-kind support to UNESCO August 2006 and August 2008 we hosted a Cities of secretariat, including: the review of applications for Literature Conference as part of the Edinburgh designation, promotion of the network, and the International Book Festival. These conferences services of Edinburgh City of Literature Trust staff brought together representatives from aspirant Cities through their engagement with UNESCO staff to of Literature, providing support with the application provide information and materials and the cost of process and sparking new collaborations. Every year attending annual meetings. As the founding city in the we welcome visitors from designated or aspirant network designated in 2004 we estimate this in-kind Cities of Literature as well as supporting enquiries cost, spanning thirteen years, to be worthy of note. from other art forms interested in joining the Creative Cities Network. 3.6 Membership of the Steering Group and period: n/a (see note on Working Group above) 3.4 Hosting of an international conference or meeting on specific issues salient to the Creative 3.7 Participation in the evaluation of applications: Cities with a large participation of members of the The Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust, its Network: In 2012 we joined with Krakow in Poland to staff and board of directors, provided their time and support their Cities of Literature conference, hosted resources to assist with two evaluation rounds for as part of their Conrad Festival, and part of their aspirant UNESCO Cities of Literature: 2014 - 15 Reading Malopolska programme. The conference applications assessed; 2015 - 12 applications brought together 24 international delegates, from assessed. designated and aspirant Cities of Literature to look at UCCN Monitoring Report – Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature – cityofliterature.com 5 MAJOR INITIATIVES IMPLEMENTED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE UCCN 4.1 Words on the Street campaign This was the first time dynamic projection mapping had been used for cultural purposes in A core part of our strategic approach to Scotland and each location was supported by improving access to and participation in newly commissioned, site-specific piece of micro- Edinburgh’s literary life is the Words on the fiction and a short audio guide covering the Street campaign. This launched in 2012 and architectural and historic aspects of the area. brings literature to the city’s streets in highly There was substantial social media engagement